The intraoral scanners market is categorized as powder-free and powder-based intraoral scanners, on the basis of type. The powder-free category is expected to witness faster growth in demand and is likely to garner a CAGR of 10.4% during the forecast period. This rising demand for powder-free intraoral scanners can be attributed to the buyers’ preference for these scanners over the conventional powder-based scanners since these scanners do not require any impression material, have better patient compliance, and generate better-quality images due to use of latest laser technology.

The end users in intraoral scanners market include hospitals and dental clinics. The demand for intraoral scanners in dental clinics is expected to witness fastest growth, at a CAGR of 10.5% during the forecast period, attributable to the increase in number of dental clinics as well as dentists doing private practice, globally.

Asia-Pacific (APAC) is the fastest growing market for intraoral scanners

The APAC intraoral scanners industry is expected to witness the fastest growth in demand, at a CAGR of 11.2% during the forecast period, due to higher prevalence of dental problems, and aging population in the region. The growth of the APAC market is supported by rise in healthcare expenditure, strengthening economic condition, and growing pool of dental clinics and practitioners in various APAC countries such as China, Japan, and India. Further, rising awareness among general population about dental problems and the importance of their treatment is another key factor supporting the market demand in the region.

Globally, key players in the intraoral scanners industry are developing and launching products that are equipped with latest advanced technology and offer various benefits such as enhanced functionality and portability to gain a larger market share. For instance, in March 2017, 3Shape A/S launched the TRIOS 3 Wireless – a wireless version of its TRIOS intraoral scanner. The 3Shape TRIOS 3 Wireless could connect cordlessly to laptops and the TRIOS cart and has three rechargeable batteries.

In October 2016, 3M Company launched a tablet-based mobile intraoral scanner known as the 3M Mobile True Definition Scanner. The product is compact, with ergonomic design similar to rechargeable tablets that patients and clinicians could use in their daily lives, allowing clinicians to move freely between operatories without power cords or carts.